Disconnected

Hello, Father

Sorry for not updating sooner. The site wasn't letting me upload this chapter yesterday or friday. I'm going to try and post every Friday. If I dont, I hope it's only because the site wont let me.

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Although I've already said this in a Review Reply, Thank You kopakanuvafan20. Wow, what a hard name.

Second, I've told Kopa this but I'll say it again. I don't know anything about Rey. I haven't had the honor of watching GSD yet, so I'm sticking with Gundam SEED characters.

And actually, I just went to and read Rey's bio.. Wow. No wonder you people thought I should've used him. He's perfect. Damn. Oh well. Too late now.

For information: Shani's personality will remind me of how wiki described Rey. So if it's easier for you, think of Rey. And anyway, Rey looks better.

– – –

"Pleasure to meet you. My name is Shani Andras." he greeted cooly, as though he'd been trained to act that way. Lacus blushed very lightly at the flattery.

"You too." she bowed her head this time. Kirabegan to feelan emotion he'd never felt before in their relationship.

A song began to play in the next room, where dancing was. Shani didn't seem surprised, like Lacus was. He simply indicated over his shoulder and asked her to dance. Being as nice as she was, Lacus couldn't refuse.

Kira watched as she was pulled away toward the dance floor, her hand leaving his. Rau watched him with mild interest.

"Sad thing, isn't it?" he asked.

"Huh?" Kira asked, breaking his gaze away from Lacus and Shani.

"To have something you love slip away." Rau turned and walked away. Kira twitched slightly.

"What's that supposed to mean!" he turned a glare on Shani. Ya, he was jealous for sure now. He'd never had a reason to be jealous before because Lacus only had eyes for him. But Shani..

Lacus seemed to be enjoying herself. Kira's gaze softened. He should just be happy that she was happy and move on with it. He wasn't going to let Shani or his 'father' ruin the party for him.

Kira walked around, sure that Lacus could find him if she wanted to. He found the refreshments and instantly grabbed a cookie. Then he got some punch and stood there. Knowing his mother, one of the two punch bowls was spiked, so he examined his glass thoroughly before deciding it was safe.

He took this time to look around for his father or Cagalli. He couldn't even find his mother in this crowd. He began to walk towards the front of the house where he'd seen his mother earlier. Even though she was wearing a beautiful, unmistakable, red dress he could not see her.

"Since when does 8 o'clock mean 9?" but he could hear her. Kira's coordinator ears instantly picked up on that familiar angry voice. He inched his way to the side door, where no other guests were. Outside was his mother, having a heated argument with a man.

He stood a good head taller than Via, with slicked back, light brown hair and brown eyes. He wore a white suit and seemed to be trying to calm Via down.

"I'm here, aren't I?" he asked. Via crossed her arms.

"You're an hour late, Ulen. When I invited Kira so he could ..."

"Kira's here?" the man seemed shocked.

"Of course.. Didn't Cagalli tell you?" Via asked, suddenly not angry.

"No. I haven't...seen her since last week." Ulen shook his head and instantly took an interest in the glass door that showed him the party inside. Kira hid out of view. That was close.

The two stood in silence for a moment. Ulen seemed to believe he'd see Kira without actually going to search for him. Via was wrapped in her own thoughts and wouldn't have even noticed if he had left.

Kira leaned against the wall, and took a deep breath. So.. Was that man his father? He glanced around the corner. It was probable. They did look a little alike. Of course, Kira hadn't seen the man since he was three so he could be wrong.

"Kira!" Cagalli called from across the hall. Outside, both Ulen and Via looked up. Kira spotted his sister and made his way towards her. He tried to stay as much out of his parent's view as possible as he did, but apparently that was hopeless.

He could hear the door opening to allow them inside. The crack that had let Kira eavesdrop was now a doorway to the past. His father was walking through that door. Any doubts in his mind seemed to vanish with this decision that his worst case scenario had produced.

"Kira?" Ulen asked, not 10 feet behind him. Cagalli stared at him in confusion. She didn't know her father would be coming. Kira, who stood only five feet away, seemed frustrated as to what he should do. Should he respond? How? Dad? Father? Mr. Hibiki?

"Dad!" Cagalli smiled and ran to hug him. Athrun appeared from nowhere when Cagalli moved out of the way and let him be seen. Kira smiled in relief.

"Athrun.." he sighed. Finally, someone he knew that could give him a little support. Cagalli was just distracting him and they could tell. Maybe Ulen could too, because when Athrun smiled encouragingly, he kept up his trying.

"Kira, is that really you?" Kira sighed and turned to face him.

Ulen gasped. There was no doubt in the world that this was Kira before him. His eyes were always the same. Full of emotion and energy, and right now.. even fear.

".. Dad.." Kira managed to get out. Somewhere in his mind, he'd decided he wasn't capable of two syllables. Ulen smiled and left Cagalli to hug Kira.

Cagalli smiled slightly. Athrun soon came to stand beside her, as did her mother. Kira was tense at first, being held by a father he couldn't remember very well. Soon though, he could remember the day it happened and his father's laughter and smiles. That was all it took for Kira to return the hug.

"It's been a long time.." Ulen backed away, as though suddenly remembering that his child may still have amnesia.

"14 years to the day." Kira noted. He smiled, seeing his dad's worried face. "I missed you too."

Ulen relaxed slightly and rested his hand on Kira's shoulder. They both turned to their family, which included Athrun now, and walked over. At this point, Cagalli noticed her mother and jumped away and almost into Athrun.

– – – –

"Kira?" Lacus called as she finally made her way out of the dance room. She looked around and smiled when she spotted the brunette. Kira was talking to a group of people. It included Athrun, Cagalli, Via, and who she guessed must have been his father. It made her happy to see him in a place where he may be at peace.

However, Kira didn't look like he was at peace. He was smiling and having his hair ruffled by his father. They were all trying to talk to him. But Lacus swore she saw his eyes saying he was missing something. Something that would bring him peace and stability in the group.

"Lacus, where'd you go?" Shani's slightly annoyed voice came. He saw her looking sadly over at Kira and smirked, putting a hand on her shoulder. "He's fine, see? He's a big boy."

Lacus sighed. So far in their dancing, Shani had told her that she was a beautiful singer and that he liked her dress, her smile, her laugh, and even her hair clip. All had been mentioned several times.

"Shani, I'm not feeling well enough to dance again. I'm sorry." she lied. Oh, but she lied well enough for him. He drew his hand back, as though afraid of any illness she may have.

"Oh.. well.."

"It was nice dancing with you." she smiled brightly and curtsied slightly as she made her way toward Kira. Shani simply fumed silently and went to find Rau.

– – – –

"All I'm saying is that he's been with her for over a year and what's he got to show for it?" Ulen spoke to Via as though their children and family weren't there.

"Don't talk as if you know what went on. You don't know what he went through to get where he is." Via countered, crossing her arms and huffing.

Cagalli sighed. It was like a war zone every time they got near each other. Athrun felt like a third..one, two, three, four..whatever. Like a third wheel. Kira simply stood there, enduring it. Cagalli didn't think she'd be able to last that long.

"Where he is! Where exactly is he, Via? A backstage bodyguard and closet boyfriend? Just look at who you've raised him to be!" Ulen groaned. Even though it was meant only to win his argument, Kira seemed to take this statement to heart.

"I've raised him to be a kind and caring individual. Anyway, look at Cagalli. She's so tomboyish!" Via countered. At this, Cagalli puffed her cheeks out and went to argue as well. Athrun held her back as he interjected.

"Excuse me. I understand how you may have ill feelings toward one another, but there's no right to bring your children into it. They're both perfect the way they are and I suggest you look at that before pointing out any faults you may think they have." With that, Athrun took Cagalli's hand in his, their rings touching, and led her away.

Both Via and Ulen frowned. At least they were feeling remorse about it now. Kira was still thinking of what his father had said. Backstage bodyguard and closet boyfriend.

"Kira, I've been looking all over for you." Lacus smiled, walking up and inconspicuously grabbed his hand. Kira smiled brightly, glad she'd found him.

"Dad, this is Lacus. Lacus, this is my father, Ulen Hibiki." he introduced. Ulen held her hand and bowed slightly, not kissing it as others would. Perhaps he thought he wasn't worthy to do so after what he'd said earlier about her. He'd insinuated that Lacus was no good for his son..Ouch.

"It's a pleasure." she smiled. She felt like her usual self again. With Shani gone, she could breathe again.

– – – –

Kira yawned as he awoke the next morning. He looked to his side to check the time. 6:04. He groaned and stared at the ceiling.

'Where he is! Where exactly is he, Via?'

It had never occurred to Kira in his year with Lacus that he was so different from the rest of his family. His mother was a respected higher class woman who ran a popular woman's beauty salon and a line of woman's skin care products. His father was a scientist who was working on genetics and was actually the one who made Kira one of the very first coordinators.

Athrun was a 'world famous' actor who's movies sold everywhere. Cagalli was now his wife and also an actor, earning instant fame. Not to mention that last night she was ecstatic about how well she believed she'd done at her interview. And finally, Lacus was a beautiful and wonderful singer. Her songs could make you laugh and cry.

He suddenly felt useless and unneeded in this world so high above the normal. Maybe he should feel proud. He had family that ruled the business world and movies. He had a girlfriend who was a famous singer. Perhaps he should feel blessed and be happy.

But he wasn't.

He had always wanted to be of use to Lacus. He wouldn't have survived if he hadn't felt needed. It was the reason for his job backstage and his duty in being a bodyguard.

Knock. Knock.

"Kira? Are you awake?" Lacus asked softly as she peeked her head in. She smiled when she saw him sitting on the edge of his bed. Wait. Kira hadn't remembered moving to sit up.

"Morning, Lacus." he greeted. She smiled and set herself down next to him.

"I wanted to talk to you about last night." she began. "It's about Shani. I'm sorry I spent so much time.."

"Lacus? Do you think I'm out of place?" Kira asked. He hadn't really been listening and his own thoughts were too loud to ignore.

"What? Of course not. Your place is here...with me." she laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. "Whatever makes you feel otherwise... It's lying." she assured him.

And Kira wanted to believe her. He really wanted life to continue on it's steady pace as it had before. But he knew he couldn't do that and he knew life wouldn't allow that either.